Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 20,303
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-38

Tripeptide-38

4.3

A well-studied synthetic peptide that helps firm skin and reduce fine lines by boosting collagen production.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-41

Tripeptide-41

4.0

Tripeptide-41 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-43

Tripeptide-43

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by signaling collagen production.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-44

Tripeptide-44

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-45

Tripeptide-45

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness with very low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-47

Tripeptide-47

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tripeptide-48

Tripeptide-48

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-49

Tripeptide-49

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-51

Tripeptide-51

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tripeptide-52

Tripeptide-52

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-53

Tripeptide-53

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-54

Tripeptide-54

4.0

Tripeptide-54 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-56

Tripeptide-56

3.8

Tripeptide-56 is a synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

Tripeptide-57

Tripeptide-57

3.8

Tripeptide-57 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smoothness, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-58

Tripeptide-58

4.0

Tripeptide-58 is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-60

Tripeptide-60

4.0

Tripeptide-60 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-61

Tripeptide-61

4.0

Tripeptide-61 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but research is still emerging compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-62

Tripeptide-62

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tripeptide-63

Tripeptide-63

4.0

Tripeptide-63 is a lab-made peptide that encourages your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Tripeptide-64

Tripeptide-64

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and repair, but evidence is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-65

Tripeptide-65

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-65 Dimer

Tripeptide-65 Dimer

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tripeptide-66

Tripeptide-66

4.0

Tripeptide-66 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-67

Tripeptide-67

4.0

Tripeptide-67 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, though research is still early compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-68

Tripeptide-68

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-69

Tripeptide-69

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tripeptide-9 Citrulline

Tripeptide-9 Citrulline

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Triple Botanical Complex

Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed/Pueraria Lobata Root/Ganoderma Lucidum Extract

4.0

A gentle botanical trio that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Triple Botanical Extract

Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit/Houttyunia Cordata/Hemerocallis Fulva Root Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Triple Herb Seed Extract

ARTEMISIA DRACUNCULUS SEED/ANTHEMIS NOBILIS SEED/HYPERICUM ANDROSAEMUM SEED EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle botanical blend that may calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited and benefits are not guaranteed.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Tripotassium Glycyrrhizate

Tripotassium Glycyrrhizate

4.3

A gentle, licorice-derived ingredient that helps calm redness and irritation without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Anti-aging agent

Tripotassium Ursolyl Phosphate

Tripotassium Ursolyl Phosphate

4.0

A plant-derived compound modified for stability that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Tripropylene Glycol Citrate

Tripropylene Glycol Citrate

4.0

A gentle, synthetic emollient and solvent that helps products spread smoothly and prevents nail polish from becoming brittle.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Antioxidant

Tripterygium Wilfordii Callus Extract

Tripterygium Wilfordii Callus Extract

3.5

A plant-based extract with early research suggesting anti-inflammatory benefits, but limited human studies and potential for irritation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Triricinolein

Triricinolein

4.0

Triricinolein is a gentle, castor-oil-derived emollient that softens skin and helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

pH Adjuster

Tris Buffered Saline

Water, Tromethamine, Sodium Chloride

4.0

Tris Buffered Saline is a gentle pH buffer that helps keep skincare products stable and comfortable on sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarebuffer
Read ingredient review

Stabilizer

Tris Isocyanuric Acid

Tris Isocyanuric Acid

3.5

A synthetic stabilizer that helps keep formulas consistent, but is rarely the star ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarestabilizer
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Antioxidant

Tris-BHT Mesitylene

TRIS-BHT MESITYLENE

4.0

A stable synthetic antioxidant that helps prevent oils and other ingredients from going rancid, but it's not a star active for skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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UV Filter

Tris-Biphenyl Triazine

TRIS-BIPHENYL TRIAZINE

4.5

A highly effective, photostable UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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Preservative

Tris-Hydroxymethylnitromethane

Tris-Hydroxymethylnitromethane

3.8

An effective preservative booster that helps keep products fresh, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepreservative
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Preservative

Tris(N-Hydroxyethyl) Hexahydrotriazine

TRIS(N-HYDROXYETHYL) HEXAHYDROTRIAZINE

3.5

An effective preservative that works by releasing tiny amounts of formaldehyde, making it a controversial choice for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepreservative
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Tris(Nonylphenyl) Phosphite

TRIS(NONYLPHENYL)PHOSPHITE

3.0

An effective synthetic antioxidant for preserving formulas, but its environmental and health profile raises caution.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Trisiloxane

TRISILOXANE

4.0

A fast-evaporating silicone that gives a smooth, silky feel without heavy residue — great for lightweight formulas.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Trisobac

Trisobac

3.8

A gentle peptide complex that may help calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Photosensitizer

Trisodium Chlorin E6

Trisodium Chlorin E6

3.0

Trisodium Chlorin E6 is a light-activated compound used in professional treatments, not a daily skincare ingredient.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review